Monsoon-hit Chowari-Lahru road cries for urgent repairs
The Chowari-Lahru road, which connects the subdivisional headquarters of Chowari to the district headquarters in Chamba via the scenic Jot route, is in desperate need of repairs.
Despite being a preferred route for locals, tourists and pilgrims visiting Bharmour, Khajjiar and Jot, this crucial stretch has remained damaged since the heavy rains in 2022, and no substantial repairs have been made even after two years.
This year’s monsoon season further wreaked havoc on the road, though authorities managed to keep it open to vehicular traffic most of the time.
However, nearly 800m of the road has lost its tar coating, and the road has become dangerously narrow.
The damaged stretch has become a daily nuisance for commuters, turning slushy and muddy during rains, which poses a threat to vehicles. During sunny days, the dust from the road becomes unbearable, especially for two-wheeler riders, who are the most affected.
Nearby area residents and regular commuters have expressed their frustration, pointing out that while the Public Works Department (PWD) authorities have kept the road functional for vehicles, no significant steps have been taken to restore the road to its original condition.
The narrow, damaged stretch has become single-lane road, causing hardships for travellers.
Locals, including Ajay Sharma, Vineet Mahajan, Suresh Thakur, Satpal Chambial, Abhishek Thakur and Chowari Nagar Panchayat president Kusum Dhiman, have called on the PWD Executive Engineer in Chowari and higher authorities to take immediate action.
They have called for the recarpeting of the damaged stretch, which has become hazardous for commuters.
Residents have requested that concrete steps be taken for its repair as soon as possible to ensure smooth and safe travel for all.
When contacted, Chowari PWD Executive Engineer Narender Chaudhary said work on the damaged stretch at Kalighar, an area that witnesses frequent sliding, would be started soon as a tender had been floated, while a detailed project report (DPR) for the remaining stretch had been sent for approval.
